U.S. patent number 6,237,784 [Application Number 09/454,759] was granted by the patent office on 2001-05-29 for label orienting display rack.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Display Industries, LLC.. Invention is credited to Bernard Primiano.
United States Patent |
6,237,784 |
Primiano |
May 29, 2001 |
Label orienting display rack
Abstract
A beverage display rack provides a track on which beverage
containers slide forward for dispensing. A rib on the track engages
a groove in the beverage container. The groove has a predefined
relationship with the label on the container so that the label
faces forward when the rib engages the groove. The rib can be an
upstanding rib which extends upward from the bottom of the track or
can extend inward from the sidewall of the track toward the center
of the display rack to engage a groove in the beverage container.
Existing display racks can be retrofitted with an insert that fits
in the track and has a protruding rib to engage the beverage
container.
Inventors: |
Primiano; Bernard (Marietta,
GA) |
Assignee: |
Display Industries, LLC.
(Smyrna, GA)
|
Family
ID: |
23805962 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/454,759 |
Filed: |
December 6, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2;
211/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
1/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
1/00 (20060101); A47F 1/12 (20060101); A47F
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/59.2,59.3,74
;312/35,45,72 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Stodola; Daniel P.
Assistant Examiner: Harris; Erica B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: James; John L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display rack, comprising:
an elongate track base having a plurality of upstanding ribs;
at least one article guiding sidewall upstanding from said track
base to limit lateral movement of articles in said track; and
an insert positioned on said ribs of said track base for carrying a
row of articles for sliding movement along said insert, said insert
having an upstanding rib for engaging a groove in each article of
said row of articles to thereby orient said articles, said rib of
said insert being laterally positioned in the center of said track
base, said insert having a plurality of secondary ribs parallel to
said upstanding rib on said insert for sliding engagement with said
articles, said secondary ribs having lower heights than said
upstanding rib.
2. A display rack, as set forth in claim 1, including a plurality
of tertiary ribs parallel to said upstanding rib on said insert but
extending in an opposite direction from said upstanding rib for
interstitial engagement with said ribs of said track base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a display rack for
displaying beverage bottles in a refrigerator, and, more
particularly, to a device for orienting the bottles so that bottle
labels face forward.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display racks are used to shelve merchandise awaiting purchase by a
consumer. Some items, such as beverages, are best when consumed
chilled, and are consequently shelved in a refrigerator. Display
racks are used in the refrigerator to keep beverage containers
upright for easy viewing and to dispense them one at a time.
Beverages are removed one at a time from the front of the rack and
the remaining inventory is urged to the front of the rack for easy
removal. Shelf stocking conveniently occurs from the rear of the
rack ensuring that beverages are chilled when they reach the front
of the rack. Presentation of the beverage is very important; so, a
viewing area at the front of the rack allows easy viewing of the
label area of the beverage container. Unfortunately, in many
instances where beverages are displayed in racks, the beverage
containers are not perfectly aligned with the labels facing forward
for easy viewing because of the time required to align them and
because rack stockers are generally not that attentive. In
addition, even when initially perfectly aligned, they are subject
to disturbance as consumers remove containers from the display.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly
desirable to have a display rack that aligns the beverage label in
the viewing area so that container labels face forward and prevents
disturbance as containers are removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present
invention, a display rack comprises an elongate track base for
carrying a row of articles for sliding movement, a rib upstanding
from the track base for engaging a groove in each article of the
row of articles to thereby orient the articles, and at least one
article guiding sidewall upstanding from the track base. The rib
may be laterally positioned in the center of the track base or
offset from the center. When the upstanding rib engages the groove,
the container is automatically oriented with the label facing
forward.
According to another aspect of the invention, a display rack
comprises an elongate track base having a plurality of upstanding
ribs, and at least one article guiding sidewall upstanding from the
track base to limit lateral movement of the articles. An insert is
positioned on the ribs of the track base for carrying a row of
articles for sliding movement along the insert. The insert has an
upstanding rib for engaging a groove in each article of the row of
articles to thereby orient the articles with labels facing forward.
It also has a plurality of shorter secondary ribs parallel to the
upstanding rib for sliding contact with the articles. A number of
tertiary ribs on the underside of the insert are parallel to the
upstanding rib but extend in the opposite direction from the
upstanding rib to interstitially engage the ribs of the track
base.
In another aspect of the invention, a display rack comprises an
elongate track base for carrying a row of articles for sliding
movement along the track base, and at least one article guiding
sidewall upstanding from the track base. One of the sidewall and
track base has a protruding rib for engaging a groove in each
article of the row of articles to thereby orient the articles with
labels facing forward.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated
from a review of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display rack unit assembled from
a plurality of track devices.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 2--2 of
FIG. 3 illustrating a preferred embodiment of a display rack
incorporating a bottle label orienting device according to the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 3--3 of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 4--4 of
FIG. 5 illustrating another preferred embodiment of a display rack
incorporating a bottle label orienting device according to the
present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 5--5 of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 6--6 of
FIG. 7 illustrating another preferred embodiment of a display rack
incorporating a bottle label orienting device according to the
present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 7--7 of
FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottle label orienting device
of FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bottle label orienting device
similar to FIG. 8 but illustrating another preferred
embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken of a display rack
incorporating a bottle label orienting device similar to FIG. 2 but
illustrating another preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a display rack unit assembled from multiple
track devices is designed to merchandise articles such as bottled
or canned drink products. The display rack unit includes a
plurality of elongated track devices 10 detachably interconnected
in a side-by-side, transversely adjacent relationship. The number
of track devices used to assemble the display rack unit is
determined such that the size of the unit is suitable for placement
onto an existing display shelf in a retail environment. The
interconnection of two adjacent track devices is achieved by
connecting means such as connector slots 14 cooperating with
L-shaped horizontal connector elements. Details of the track
devices and connector elements are more filly described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,634,564, which issued Jun. 3, 1997 to Spamer et al., the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The unit
may be supported on a horizontal surface and may preferably have a
spring-loaded pusher for moving the articles forward. However, the
unit may also be supported on forwardly and downwardly tilted
surfaces. In a tilted condition, each track device operates as a so
called "gravity feed" dispensing device which does not require any
mechanical pushers. In a gravity feed device, the loaded articles
have a natural tendency to automatically slide downwardly and
forwardly to the front end of the track. The track device has a
two-piece construction formed of molded plastic material and
includes a front piece 15 and an elongated track body. The track
body has an article supporting base 16 and an article guiding
sidewall 17 upstanding from the base. The track base 16, the
sidewall 17 attached to the track base, and the sidewall 18 of the
adjacent track body define a channel for receiving a row of
containers 19.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3, a display rack has an elongated track base
20 for carrying a row of articles, such as beverage bottles 22, to
be dispensed one at a time. Each bottle 22 preferably has a
plurality of grooves molded into its bottom and has a product label
24 attached to its sidewall. Typically, the bottle bottom is not
flat but has a raised central portion so that only a circular band
near the perimeter of the bottom contacts the surface on which the
bottle sits. By this construction a reduced friction bottle is
formed that slides easily along a track base, and which resists
distortion. Each groove lies along a diameter of the bottom so that
when a groove is divided into segment by the raised central portion
of the bottom, the segments are diametrically aligned. Product
label 24 is always centered above one of the grooves.
Track base 20 has a centrally located rib 26 extending upward to
engage one of the grooves in the bottom of the bottle. By orienting
the bottle with the product label facing forward, the engagement of
the rib and groove maintain the orientation. When engaged, the rib
and groove prevent rotation of the bottle thereby maintaining the
orientation of the product label. Sidewalls 28, 30 extending from
track base 20 inhibit lateral movement of the bottle to keep it
from tipping, and to guide the bottles along the track base.
Secondary ribs 32 on the track base further reduce friction between
the bottle and track base. Secondary ribs 32 have a lower height
than positioning rib 26.
Referring to FIGS. 4-5, a display rack has an elongated track base
34 for carrying a row of beverage bottles 36. Each bottle 36 has a
single diametrical groove molded into its bottom and has a product
label 38 centered over the groove. Track base 34 has a centrally
located rib 40 extending upward to engage the groove. By orienting
the bottle with the product label facing forward, the engagement
the rib and groove maintain the orientation. Sidewalls 42, 44
extending from track base 20 inhibit lateral movement of the
bottle, and secondary ribs 46 on the track base reduce friction
between the bottle and track base.
Alternatively, there could be a single groove offset to one side of
the diameter with the product label positioned relative to the
single groove to face forward. Such groove position would allow the
bottle to be inserted in only one way with no chance for error
because incorrect positioning would cause the bottle to wobble.
With any construction, when the positioning rib engages the groove,
the product label orientation does not change thereby giving the
product label maximum exposure.
Referring to FIGS. 6-7 and 9, a display rack has an elongated track
base 48 for carrying a row of beverage bottles 50. Each bottle 50
has at least one diametrically positioned groove molded into its
bottom and has a product label 51 centered over the groove on its
sidewall. A plurality of upstanding ribs 52 extend from track base
48 as do sidewalls 54, 56. An insert 58 positioned on track base 48
between the sidewalls 54, 56 rests on ribs 52. Insert 58 has an
upstanding positioning rib 60 that is preferably laterally
positioned in the center of the insert and thereby positionable in
the center of the track base. Central positioning rib 60 engages
the diametrical groove. Insert 58 may also have a plurality of
friction reducing secondary ribs 62 on either side of and parallel
to central rib 60 for sliding engagement with bottle 50. Secondary
ribs 62 are shorter than central positioning rib 60. Ribs 60, 62
extend from the top side on the insert while tertiary ribs 64
extend downward from the bottom side if the insert. Tertiary ribs
64 are parallel to central rib 60 but extend in the opposite
direction to interstitially engage ribs 52 on track base 48.
FIG. 8 illustrates an insert 58' that has an upstanding positioning
rib 60' that is preferably laterally positioned in the center of
the insert and thereby positionable in the center of the track base
to engage the diametrical groove of the bottle. Insert 58' also has
a plurality of tertiary ribs 64' extending downward from the bottom
side if the insert. Tertiary ribs 64' are parallel to central rib
60' but extend in the opposite direction to interstitially engage
ribs 52 on track base 48. Insert 58' is void of secondary ribs
offering a simpler construction where the bottom of the bottle has
multiple ribs and grooves to reduce friction.
Referring to FIG. 10, a display rack has an elongated track base 66
for carrying a row of beverage bottles 68. Each bottle 68 has at
least one horizontally extending groove 70 molded into its sidewall
and has a product label 72 centered over track base 66. Sidewalls
74, 76 extend upward from track base 66. Sidewall 74 has a
positioning rib 78 for engaging groove 70 to orient bottle 68 with
the label facing forward. A single groove 70 engaging a positioning
rib 78 has the advantage of allowing bottle 68 to be inserted
between sidewalls only one way. A second groove 80 may be added to
engage a second rib 82 protruding from the other sidewall 76. Dual
grooves have the advantage of allowing looser tolerances between
the bottle and sidewalls which is desirable to accommodate
distortion of the sidewalls caused by environmental conditions,
bottle distortion or by bottle contact during loading or
dispensing.
It can now be appreciated that the display rack provides a rib for
engaging a groove in a bottle to first orient the bottle with the
bottle label facing forward, and then to prevent the bottle from
rotating to thereby keep the bottle label facing forward. The stock
person inserts bottles from the rear while turning the bottle so
that the bottle label faces forward. When properly aligned, the
bottle slips down over the upstanding positioning rib and resists
further turning. Once aligned, the bottle stays aligned thereby
keeping the label properly positioned in the viewing area. Where
the rib extends from the sidewall instead of the base, it works the
same way. As the bottle is turned by the stock person, the sidewall
rib slips into the bottle groove to prevent rotation and orient the
bottle with the label facing forward. The positioning rib can be
integrally formed with the track base or sidewall, or can be in the
form of an insert that fits on the track base.
Where an insert is used, the display rack comprises an elongated
track base with a plurality of upstanding ribs, and at least one
bottle guiding sidewall upstanding from the track base to limit
lateral movement of the bottle. The insert is positioned on the
ribs of the track base for carrying a row of bottles for sliding
movement along the insert. The insert has an upstanding positioning
rib for engaging a groove in each bottle of the row of bottles to
thereby orient the bottles with labels facing forward. It also has
a plurality of shorter secondary ribs parallel to the upstanding
positioning rib for sliding contact with the bottles. A number of
tertiary ribs on the underside of the insert are parallel to the
upstanding rib but extend in the opposite direction from the
upstanding rib to interstitially engage the ribs of the track base.
The insert can be used with existing display racks to keep bottle
labels facing forward thereby extending the useful life of existing
equipment.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to
the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without
departing from invention. For example, multiple positioning ribs
could be used. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall
cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from
the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *